Rail tie and fastener



J. C. BOTT.

RAIL TI'E AND FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1921.

1,395,172,' Patented 001;. 25, 1921.

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/7 Q a l gwuentoz I I 1 al tozw g I UNITED STATES JOHN G. BOTT, 0F DELL RAPIDS, SOUTH DAKOTA.

RAIL TIE AND FASTENER.

Application filed March 18, 1921.

To all to 71.0% it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN C. Borr, an alien from Alsace-Lorraine, residing at Dell Rapids, in the county of Minnehaha and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Ties and Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in a steel railroad tie and rail fastener.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a hollow steel tie, which is light and durable and is equipped with a novel form of rail fastener, whereby railroad rails may be held securely in position.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of the tie partially cut away to show the fastener.

Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating my invention when the rails are in place.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the fastener.

Fig. i is a view in perspective showing the flange at the end of the tie.

In my invention as illustrated, the cross tie 10 is hollow and is made of steel or other suitable material. The ends of the tie may be beveled as at 11 and it has also been found convenient to provide a flange 12 at each end whereby the tie may be cemented or otherwise secured in place.

The top of the tie has suitably spaced openings 13 shaped to receive one end of a novel form of fastener. Any number of openings may be provided the exact number being immaterial from the standpoint of my invention.

The fastener proper consists of a main shank 15 suitably curved at its lower end to form a retaining portion 14. At its upper Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Serial No. 453,195.

end the shank 15 is bent opposite from the retaining portion 14 to form a base flange engaging portion or head 16. Above the head 16 the shank terminates in a squared extension 17 that is adapted to receive a wrench or other tool whereby the fastener may be turned and adjusted as desired.

When it is desired to place the fastener in an operative position the retaining portion- 14 is first inserted in one of the openings 13. As the portion 14 is moved downwardly, the fastener may be manipulated to bring the shank 15 within the opening with the head 16 away from the base flange of the rail. A wrench or other tool may be engaged with the extension 17 whereby the fastener can be turned so as to bring the head 16 in binding engagement with the base flange of the rail and at the same time bringing the portion 14: into binding engagement with the under side of the top portion of the tie. This insures a secure fastening means.

lVhat is claimed is:

The combination with a hollow railroad tie having a relatively thin top portion pro vided with openings and a rail positioned at right angles thereon; of a rail fastener comprising a straight shank, a curved retaining portion at the lower end of said shank, a head at the upper end of said shank extending in an opposite direction to said retaining portion, and a squared extension on the upper end of said shank adapted to be engaged by a wrench or other tool whereby when said shank is inserted in one of said openings said fastener may be turned to bring said head in engagement with the base flange of said rail and thereby bind said retaining portion against the under side of the top portion of said tie substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

- JOHN C. BOTT. 

